The Week 2 Super 10: Two new teams enter the rankings

Brandon's defense stepped up in a game between top-10 teams as the Bulldogs left with a season-opening victory.
Mackenzie Salmon, Mississippi Clarion Ledger

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Starkville's Rodrigues Clark (3) goes over the top of the Pearl line for a touchdown on Friday, December 1, 2017, at the MHSAA Football State Championships at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium on the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford, Miss.(Photo11: Chris Todd, For Clarion Ledger)Buy Photo

Here is this year’s week two Super 10 poll. The Super 10 will be updated every Sunday on ClarionLedger.com. It's voted on by the staff of the Clarion Ledger.

1. Starkville (1-0)

The Yellow Jackets entered the season ranked No. 1 in the state and backed up their ranking with a 30-6 win over Noxubee County on Friday night. Starkville jumped out to a 30-0 lead, and Noxubee County did not score until the fourth quarter. Dandy Dozen selection Rodrigues Clark rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Up next: at Oxford, 7 p.m. Friday

2. Hattiesburg (1-0)

Hattiesburg opened its season Saturday night with a 35-26 win over Petal. Quarterback Jarod Conner scored four touchdowns — three rushing and one passing — and the Tigers' defense stopped a scoring drive late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

Up next: vs. Laurel, 7 p.m. Saturday

3. West Point (1-0)

The Green Wave squashed Columbus on the road in a 55-6 win. They rushed for 413 yards and six touchdowns. Dantariyus Conner led the team with 116 yards rushing, and Kameron Martin scored three touchdowns. Tyron Orr and Latarius Embry both intercepted passes.

Up next: vs. Louisville, 7 p.m. Friday

4. Tupelo (1-0)

Tupelo opened with a 34-24 win on the road over Meridian, which was ranked No. 8 entering the season. Senior quarterback Stephon McGlaun threw for 297 yards and a touchdown, running back Jaquerrious Williams rushed for 122 yards and two scores and Tupelo's defense intercepted three passes.

Up next: vs. Corinth, 7 p.m. Friday

5. Brandon (1-0)

In a top-10 matchup to open the season, Brandon beat Madison Central, 14-7. The Bulldogs' offense didn't score until the second half, but their defense stepped up, holding Madison Central to less than 150 yards of offense and no offensive touchdowns.

Northwest Rankin cruised to a 42-7 win over Germantown in week one. The Cougars rushed for three touchdowns, threw for another, scored on defense and even returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Running back P.J. Lindsey rushed seven times for 141 yards and three touchdowns. The Cougars' defense racked up six sacks.

Up next: vs. Ridgeland, 7 p.m. Friday

7. Jackson Prep (1-0)

Jackson Prep, the perennial power in the MAIS, went on the road and beat East Rankin Academy 51-0. Ole Miss commit Jerrion Ealy leads the Patriots, but the team also has 34 seniors on the roster and four retuning offensive lineman from a year ago.

Up next: vs. Washington, 7 p.m. Friday

8. Pearl (1-0)

Though Pearl graduated 18 starters and 29 seniors from last year's undefeated, state championship team, the Pirates opened with a 36-7 win at home over Brookhaven. Pearl was unranked entering the season.

Up next: at Warren Central, 7 p.m. Friday

9. Horn Lake (0-0)

Horn Lake's season will not start until this Friday, but the Eagles are thought of as one of the best teams in Mississippi. Five-star linebacker Nakobe Dean is the top-rated player in the state, and quarterback Raydarius Jones has scholarship offers from Power 5 schools.

Up next: at Shannon, 7 p.m. Friday

10. Laurel (1-0)

Laurel enters the rankings after a 55-13 win over Callaway. The Golden Tornadoes rushed for 327 yards on 30 carries, an average of 10.9 yards per carry.